10/26/2018 Update - IMPORTANT Recall on MTB Air forks

September 18th 2018

Update 2018-10-26

Update #4 to the stop ride, stop sales of RXF Air forks – official statement with solution

The safety and reliability of our products is a top priority for us. We have identified a potential problem with Öhlins RXF36 Air and RXF34 Air suspension forks sold as aftermarket equipment and as original equipment on some Specialized-branded Enduro, Stumpjumper, Fuse, and Levo mountain bicycles. The products were sold between January 2016 through September 2018. We have received some reports of the air cartridge coming loose and springing out of the fork stanchion tube, with risk of injury to the rider. We initiated a voluntary report with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) and are working closely with them on a press release announcing the recall shortly.

We are advising customers globally who have purchased Öhlins RXF36 Air and RXF34 Air suspension forks, including those installed as original equipment on Specialized-branded Enduro, Stumpjumper, Fuse, and Levo mountain bicycles, to immediately stop riding and bring them to an Öhlins, Specialized or other authorized dealer to receive the repair.

After a repair have been made, customers can register for a voucher at ohlins.com/recall giving them free of charge materials for a full service (labor not included) and a soon to be released performance upgrade to the RXF 36. The voucher form will be found here at ohlins.com and will go live the coming week.

We apologize for the inconvenience this will cause our customers, but it is critically important to us to do everything we can ensure that our products are safe and reliable.

Torkel Sintorn General Manager MTB Öhlins Racing AB

Update 2018-10-19

Update #3 to the stop ride stop sales of RXF Air forks

Our fix now has approval but unfortunately, we are still restrained by governmental authority formalities meaning we cannot communicate until these are also approved. On the positive side, the approved fix is extremely simple and can be made by any bike shop or service centre.

Mid next week we will have an update on the approval process with the CPSC. We understand the inconvenience this delay is for all our customer but we are currently restrained to comment on the fix in detail due to the process with the federal government. The dialog with them is positive in regards that we soon will be able to sole this issue.

We have tested and validated a simple solution to the issue and it is now being reviewed by the CPSC, (US Consumer Product Safety Commission). That process can take days or a few weeks but when the fix is approved it will be possible to solve the issue with bike industry common tools and material. We work tirelessly to get though due process with the clear goal to get you riding again as soon as possible. We apologize for this inconvenience and if you need race assistance or alike please contact your dealer, origin of purchase, primary.

09/18/2018

Dear Öhlins RXF Air fork rider

At Öhlins, safety is our primary concern, and when safety is compromised for the rider, we need to take action.

Based upon reports from the field, we’ve concluded the Öhlins RXF 36 29/27.5 Air forks and all RXF 34 Air forks sold to aftermarket and spec’d as original equipment on the 2017 Stumpjumper, Enduro, and Fuse, and the 2018 Stumpjumper, Enduro, Levo, may contain a defect in the top cap which potentially affects safety. Specifically, the right-side top cap on some forks may not be adequately torqued which in some cases may lead to the top cap working itself free through riding. When this happens, the air cartridge may abruptly spring out of the stanchion tube causing a risk of injury to the rider. Therefore, we’ve decided to ask riders to stop riding, and our dealers to stop selling, affected forks and bicycles.

We are working urgently in partnership with Specialized on a remedy to this issue. Once we have obtained the necessary government approvals on our solution, we will issue a recall to fix the forks and get you back riding. As we progress with our recall strategy and approvals this site will be continuously updated.

Please note that other Öhlins forks such as RXF 36 Coil forks are unaffected by this notice.

We wish to apologize for this inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

A: We are conducting this action because we have identified a potential safety issue and want to keep our riders safe and prevent possible injuries.

Q: Which products are involved?

A: Öhlins RXF 36 29/27.5+ and 27.5 Air Forks and RXF 34 fork.
It do not affect RXF 36 Coil forks or the DH Race Fork.

Q: What is the problem with the affected forks?

A: The right-side cap top on some forks potentially may unthread and become loose which in some cases may lead to the top cap working itself free through riding. When this happens, the air cartridge may spring out of the stanchion tube causing a risk of injury to the rider.

Q: How many incidents have happened?

A: We have reported, to CPSC in US, that four incidents were the air cartridge has come loose. There has been approximately 17 000 forks produced.

Q: Whom do I contact if I have had problems?

A: Contact the retailer you bought the product from and they will help you out when the fix has been government approved.

Q: Do you have a fix?

A: We have worked tirelessly and we have a validated fix that are not yet approved by government authorities. We ask for your patience and we will continually update this FAQ with more information regarding the process.

Q: I have not had any issues with my fork. Can I continue to use it?

A: No, at this stage we advise that you are not riding our product until our fix has governmental approval and has been applied to your fork.

Q: Where can I find more information?

A: We will continuously update ohlins.com with news on how we are proceeding in getting the fix governmental approved.